Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve. Chairperson Sve led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Unless otherwise stated, all actions have been approved by unanimous yea vote. Lake County Board members present in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room (SRRR), 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota: District 2 Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont, District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member absent: District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd. Vacancy: First District. Also present in the SRRR: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, County Auditor Linda Libal, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Hurd
Lake County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza reviewed bid results for two bid openings that were held today, including recommendations for awarding the contracts to the apparent low bidder. Three responsive bids were submitted, at or below the engineer’s estimate, for the pavement reconditioning on Waldo Road (CSAH 27), Cardinal Road & 20th Avenue (CSAH 28) and Ski Hill Road (CR 121). Three responsive bids were submitted, near the engineer’s estimate, for pavement reconditioning on Larsmont Road (UT 13). KGM Contractors, Inc. was the apparent low bidder for both bid openings for these projects. Engineer DiPiazza recommends awarding these projects to the low bidder and will work with the County Attorney’s Office on the contracts.
County Auditor Linda Libal provided an update for her office. Ms. Libal recommends that the County Board adopt a resolution before the end of November 2023 authorizing mail balloting for all elections for Unorganized Territory No. 1 (UT#1), Lake County, Minnesota. If adopted by the end of November, this change would become effective January 1, 2024. County Sheriff Nathan Stadler provided an update about communication with the U.S. Forest Service about a fire off of Highway 1, a few miles south of Birch Lake. The fire was likely caused by a lightning strike.
Two individuals arrived during the County Board meeting and were given the opportunity to provide public comments. These individuals advised that they were present for any discussion on their interim use application.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ rescheduled regular meeting minutes of July 26, 2023.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative $ 7,263.00
b. Region III $ 30,322.65
c. Region III Special Payments $ 645.00
3. Accept proposal from L & M Painting dated July 19, 2023, and authorize payment to L & M Painting in an amount not to exceed $12,000.00. The price difference between the proposal price and the not to exceed amount is due to the unknown conditions of some areas around windows and soffits.
4. Accept proposal from L & M Painting (low bidder) dated July 19, 2023, in the amount of $6,040.00, and authorize payment to L & M Painting in an amount not to exceed $7,040.00. The price difference from proposal price and the not to exceed amount is due to unknown conditions of siding on gable ends of building.
5. Authorize payment not to exceed the amount of $28,400 to Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) for the renewal of our Lake County Small Govt licenses.
6. Authorize payment not to exceed the amount of $10,000 to NuSpire (Invoice dated 7/19/2023) for Managed Gateway Services – Firewall annual maintenance and support renewal. The quote extends the renewal date to July 19, 2024.
7. Rescind the appointment of Mike Wilsey, Arrowhead Regional Corrections, to the North Shore Collaborative’s Joint Powers Board, effective June 15, 2023.
8. Approve the appointment of Brian Stevenson, Arrowhead Regional Corrections, to the North Shore Collaborative’s Joint Powers Board, effective June 15, 2023.
9. Approve the appointment of Shelley Frederickson to the Lake County Health and Human Services Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2023.
10. Approve the appointment of Deb Scott as Vice Chair of the Lake County Health and Human Services Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2023.
11. Approve 2022 Audit through the State Auditor’s office and authorize the County Auditor, County Administrator and Board Chair to sign the Engagement Letter.
12. Approve a three-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for the Isabella Community Council for the dates of September 8-10, 2023, at the Community Center in Isabella.
13. Authorize Highway Department payment to Avenu Insights & Analytics at a cost not to exceed $6,997.32 for the annual subscription and maintenance invoice for New Roads Public Works Management System Software and eTime timesheet system interface.
14. Approve an increase of the total contract cost for 2023 Calcium Chloride applications for gravel road dust control to a cost not to exceed $210,000.00, an increase of $22,500.00.
15. Authorize Highway Engineer to sign a contract amendment with MSA Professional Services in the amount of $26,207.40 for additional engineering, soil sampling, plan development, environmental documentation, and right of way acquisition work on project SP 038-607- 015, Bridge 7909 Replacement, CSAH 7 (Cramer Road) at Ninemile Creek for a revised total contract value not to exceed $77,544.60.
16. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Citizens Telecommunications Company of Minnesota, LLC (dba Frontier) utility permit for installation of buried fiber optic cable between 14568 and 14610 Moose Lake Road (CR 183).
17. Authorize Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for 23rd Annual North Shore Bike Ride scheduled for August 19, 2023 and located on CSAH 4, CSAH 5, and CSAH 31.
18. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-23-017r, submitted by James Craig Miller, for a 5-year IUP renewal approval for vacation rental home at 3466 Hwy 61, Two Harbors, MN 55616. PID: 29-5409- 14750.
19. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commissioner for Interim Use Application I-23-024i, submitted by Joe and Victoria Polunc, for an initial 1-year IUP approval for a vacation rental home at 6452 Highway 61, Silver Bay MN 55614. PID 24-5706-20220.
20. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commissioner for Interim Use Application I-23-026i, submitted by James and Jessica Udenberg, for an initial 1-year IUP approval for a vacation rental home at 1708 Highway 61, Two Harbors MN 55616 PID 29-5365-28230.
21. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commissioner for Interim Use Application I-23-027r, submitted by Ron and Jennifer Chapek, for a 5-year IUP renewal approval for a vacation rental home at 1686 Highway 61, Two Harbors MN 55616 PID 29-5365-28350.
22. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commissioner for Interim Use Application I-23-028i, submitted by Jared and Deepa McGriff, for an initial 1-year IUP approval for a vacation rental home at 6803 Salveson Road, Finland MN 55603 PID: 27-5707-18730.
23. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commissioner for Interim Use Application I-23-029r, submitted by Mark and Leigh Miller; 5-year IUP renewal approval for a vacation rental home at 4155 Liberty Road, Two Harbors MN 55616 PID 26- 5508-22493.
24. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commissioner for Interim Use Application I-23-030r, submitted by Right Path LLC, for a 1-year IUP renewal approval for a vacation rental home at 956 E Stanley Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616. PID: 25- 5211-11270.
25. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commissioner for Interim Use Application I-23-031i, submitted by Thorson House of Lake County LLC, for an initial 1-year IUP approval for a vacation rental home at 6076 Highway 61, Silver Bay MN 55614. PID 26-5700-36199. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 03 – Award SAP 038- 627-003, SAP 038-628-001, CP 121- 023-001 to the lowest responsible bidder, KGM Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $ 2,815,730.55 for pavement reconditioning on Waldo Road (CSAH 27), Cardinal Road & 20th Avenue (CSAH 28) and Ski Hill Road (CR 121), and authorize the Board Chair to sign the construction contract pending County Attorney review. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 04 – Award CP 013-022- 001 to the lowest responsible bidder, KGM Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $ 1,307,752.83 for pavement reconditioning on Larsmont Road (UT 13), and authorize the Board Chair to sign the construction contract pending County Attorney review. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve the probationary appointment of Melissa Crandall to Assistant Veterans Service Officer at the Step 1 wage of $30.06 per hour effective August 14, 2023. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 06 – Set the County Attorney 2023 salary at $119,000 and 2023 Health Care Saving Plan contribution at $2,000. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 07 – Set the County Auditor 2023 salary at $99,000 and 2023 Health Care Saving Plan contribution at $2,000. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 08 – Set the County Recorder 2023 salary at $83,000 and 2023 Health Care Saving Plan contribution at $2,000. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 09 – Set the County Sheriff 2023 salary at $102,000 and 2023 Health Care Saving Plan contribution at $2,000. Absent: Hurd
Commissioner Hogenson noted the work that goes into setting elected officials’ salaries, which includes reviewing the information in the board packet, elected official roles and responsibilities, correspondence from elected officials, history of salaries, years of experience, and comparison with other jurisdictions.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 010 – Adjourn Lake County Board of Commissioners’ meeting at 2:46 PM. Absent: Hurd
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:
– Committee of the Whole at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at the Knife River Recreation Center, 199 Alger Smith Road, Knife River, Minnesota.
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioner
